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Tips When Picking A Credit Card
By plrprousers | December 4, 2008
Every month, credit card companies send out offers to consumers who they consider to be good credit risks. Mastercard and Visa offers can include low rates for balance transfers and even a 0% interest rate for an introductory period. Before you apply for any card, read the fine print. Do some comparison shopping too before accepting any offers. Take a look at your financial needs when you are evaluating the various offers for a new credit card.
The first thing most consumers look at in credit cards is the annual percentage rate, or APR. While this is an important factor, it is not the only thing to consider when evaluating offers. You also need to look at things like finance charges, over-limit fees and late charges. These things can add up to a higher than expected bill. If you plan to pay off your balance every month, then you should also look at the grace period. This is the period of time you have to pay off your balance before the company starts charging interest. In recent years, grace periods have gotten shorter, and many card companies have done away with them altogether. However, many companies still have grace periods as long as 25 days. If you pay off your credit cards every month, then this will be a benefit to you.
Many consumers look for credit card offers with low introductory rates or low rates for balance transfers. Some companies offer rates as low as 0% APR. Consumers with a lot of debts can save money in interest by taking advantage of such offers. If you decide to take advantage of these low rates, remember they are only temporary. You should apply for a card offering them only if you are fairly certain that you will be able to pay off your balance before the introductory period expires.
In the past, a credit card company would decline a purchase once the consumer had reached his or her credit limit. However, these days, the charge on the card will be accepted, and the company will charge an over-limit fee. This is another of the many factors consumers need to watch for when evaluating card offers. Fortunately, the internet has made the task of comparing offers much easier. There are many websites that give comparisons between various offers. The Federal Reserve Board has a website at www.federalreserve.gov where consumers can check out various offers. A bit of homework before you fill out an application can save you from taking on more personal debt, in the form of fees and interest down the road.
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